Coast Guard continues search for survivors after boat sinks off Ensenada coast

The search continued Saturday for 11 people missing after a boat sank off the coast of Ensenada, Mexico, where 16 people were rescued, according to the U.S. Coast Guard in San Diego.

“Search efforts remain ongoing 140 miles west of Ensenada. No additional individuals have been found. Coast Guard continues to coordinate search & rescue efforts alongside U.S. Navy & Mexican Navy,” USCG Southwest posted Saturday on social media. “We are grateful for the joint coordination and support.”

Victims of the accident issued a radio distress call in Spanish at about 1 a.m. Friday, reporting that a total of 27 people were in the ocean and that the boat was taking on water and sinking, according to USCG public affairs.

“We’re checking the debris area to gauge where survivors could be located based on currents, waves and wind,” USCG Petty Officer Charlie Valor told City News Service on Saturday. “We’re giving it our all.”

San Diego-based Coast Guard personnel arrived on scene at about 2 a.m. Friday and were coordinating the search-and-rescue efforts along with crews from USCG Air Station Ventura, Air Station Sacramento, the USCG cutter Active, the USS Kingsville and a Navy helicopter.

“We are using these resources because we have reason to believe there is a possibility they are still alive and able to be rescued,” Valor said. She did not have an update on the conditions of the 16 people who were rescued and taken to San Diego hospitals.

Valor also told CNS that while the boat was in Mexican waters when it sank Friday, it was in the USCG’s area of responsibility and the Mexican Navy was helping in the search and rescue efforts.

Authorities have not established whether the boat was transporting migrants illegally, engaged in fishing or recreational boating, or doing something else, but the Mexican Consulate in San Diego said all onboard were Mexican nationals.

The Coast Guard says the vessel was traveling along a route associated with maritime smuggling into the United States, but the circumstances were still under investigation.

“The situation is ever evolving,” Valor said. “Our concern was rescuing the people and getting them to safety.”